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Cocoon – One Summer of Girlhood gives major Studio Ghibli vibes in latest trailer
GKIDS has released an English-subtitled trailer for Cocoon – One Summer of Girlhood, an animated film made by former Studio Ghibli staff that is drawing comparisons to the studio's celebrated work. It marks the feature debut of director Yukimitsu Ina and the animation studio Sasayuri, which was founded by Ghibli veteran Tateno Hitoma, whose past credits include Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Grave of the Fireflies; the last of these is seen as particularly relevant given the tonal and thematic similarities to Cocoon's story.
The film follows San and Mayu, two students at an island girls' school who are forced to nurse wounded soldiers in a hidden military hospital as war reaches their home. It is adapted from Machiko Kyo's manga, itself based on the true story of the Himeyuri students during the Battle of Okinawa in the final months of the Second World War, and premiered in Japan last year to mark the 80th anniversary of the war's end, earning praise for its handling of gendered violence and suffering. GKIDS acquired North American distribution rights last month and will release the film in cinemas on 4 September, screening both the Japanese version (led by Mitsushima Hikari and Itō Marika) and an English dub, whose cast has not yet been announced.
In short
- GKIDS releases English-subtitled trailer for Cocoon – One Summer of Girlhood
- Made by ex-Studio Ghibli staff, evokes Grave of the Fireflies
- Based on real Himeyuri students' story; hits US cinemas 4 September
Explained simply
Cocoon – One Summer of Girlhood is an animated film that has drawn comparisons to Studio Ghibli, the celebrated Japanese animation studio. The story follows two schoolgirls at an island girls' school who are forced to care for wounded soldiers at a hidden military hospital as war reaches their home during the Second World War.
The film is based on a manga that draws from the true experiences of the Himeyuri students during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, the final major battle of the Second World War. It marks the first feature film as director for Yukimitsu Ina and the debut film from animation studio Sasayuri, founded by Tateno Hitoma, a former Studio Ghibli animator whose previous work includes the films Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away.
The film premiered in Japan last year to mark the 80th anniversary of the war's end and received praise for its handling of the experiences of young women during wartime, particularly regarding gendered violence and suffering. The film has been acquired for North American distribution by GKIDS.